On Thursday, June 23, families from Cooper's Crossing, Hillcrest and Morningside gathered at the new Cooper's Crossing Elementary for a BBQ.

Over 500 residents attended the summer celebration and formal thank you to WestMark, who donated $50,000 to the new playground for the school.

Todd Hennig, the school principle was in attendance, and said the day felt more like a family reunion.

"To be on our school site, enjoying the chance to eat and play together with children, parents and school staff was a great gift. To me it really felt like a huge family reunion, and that community spirit is a sign of great things to come as we open our school for classes in September.”

Tracy Aylesworth, President of Friends of Cooper's Crossing School said fundraising efforts for the new playground are ongoing until they meet their goal of $250,000.

"We know it's not an ideal year to be fundraising for a school playground but we're quite optimistic cause we such great support from the local community, the school parents, the school board and the Principle, Todd Hennig."

Aylesworth said she doesn't anticipate that the group will be able to fundraise enough to have the playground built before the new school year, but the hope is to have it built by the spring of next year.

The Cooper's Crossing Residents Association will continue to fundraise, and will be looking for additional corporate sponsorship's.

For more information or to donate, you can visit the Friends of Cooper’s Crossing Facebook page.